Sound Card usable for Console gaming?

Right now I'm looking to get the Logitech z5300e speakers which only accept analog input. Therefore I can't directly run my Xbox360 or PS3 into the speakers and keep surround sound. I was wondering if a laptop sound card with optical in and analog out would be able to work. I tried with my friend's who owns the Creative Sound Blast Audigy 2 NX and it failed to work, and after researching, apparently it lacks the ability to decode console signals.

So my ultimate question is:

Are there any decent performing cards for USB or Expresscard that have optical input, and can output in Center/Front/Rear analog that are able to work both as a good Laptop sound card and also able to let consoles run through them, preferably for as low a price as possible.

 

They should come with a console adapter, I highly doubt a usb soundcard would work with a 360.

 

Well, the idea is the use the USB through the laptop, run the 360 through the optical in port of the card, and to output sound through the card through the analog ports to the speakers. The Creative Extigy is known to do this, so contrary to your claim it is possible, but I am looking for something more compact. The speakers come with an adapter yes, but will only play in stereo. I need something that accepts optical in and has analog out.

 

I claimed nothing, I expressed doubt, thats sounds like an extremely complicated way to get surround sound, why not buy something that designed to do what you need straight out of the box? It might cost a little more, but for sheer simplicity, it'll probably be worth it, I've seen the z550's for around $250 US, that really wouldnt be a whole lot more than the 53's and an extigy, also if you plan on using vista now or in the future, be careful,as many features may not be supported at all. You may want to try asking at a 360 related forum if you havent done so already.

 

Sorry if my post seemed snappy, I was just getting frustrated at how difficult it is to get a decent set up on a small budget and didn't mean to use such harsh wording. I do appreciate your post and trying to help.

The z5500s are an option I suppose, but at $250 bucks it's awfully steep compared to the $70 for the Z5300e set. Especially considering I need to get a sound card either way. As for Vista, I'm currently content with XP and will only upgrade when there's some incredible force pushing me to.

I am now looking at the Creative X-fi Xtreme Audio Notebook. It'd be about $90 on top of the $70 of the z5300s, which isn't horrendous. Coming out to bit a bit more than half off the cost of the 5500s and a sound card, which is IMO a sizable amount.

Of course I can wait and hopefully try to save up for the 5500s for the improved digital audio quality, but I'm not sure that I need it anyway. By no means am I an audiophile, but I do game a lot and need the surround to be clear enough to play with. Earning only $160 a month for working as a tutor at my college isn't exactly helping though. Nevertheless, thanks for the suggestion, as my friend does have the 5500s + Audigy 2 NX and it is an impressive set.

 

Where are you getting the the 53's for 70 bucks? I'd be interested in them for that price.

 

http://www.buy.com/prod/logitech-z-...heater-speaker-system/q/loc/111/10387930.html

After $10 GCO and $40 MIR it comes to $67 and change.

 

There are adapters for analog surround systems to consoles, at least for the ps2, and the shuld work for the ps3.

 

why not get a cheap 5.1 home cinema amp? could be worth a look.. not sure what the prices are like in the States but you can pick them up pretty cheaply these days in the UK.

I ditched my 5.1 surround sound setup a couple of years back and now use a Technics amp with Nad speakers. This way I can have multiple inputs.. laptop/desktop/console etc and easily switch between them.

 

Erm... maybe I read it wrong, but to me it looked like the $123 price was including the $40 MIR from Buy.com... the original 163-123

 

price changed sometime yesterday apparently. Thankfully I already ordered them. And apparently the x-fi xpress audio notebook has built in AC3 decoding functionality and will work with the xb360, so I'm going to try that out and see how it works, otherwise I'll be going for the extigy.

 

Good luck, I've had too many disappointments with rebates, so I always disregard them unless they are of the instant variety.